Distinctive Beliefs that Guide our Actions & Interactions 
 

VCCC is a distinctly faith-based academic model. As believers, we share in a core culture of spiritual DNA that forms the basis of how we treat ourselves and one another. Some denominational variances in beliefs and behavior are normal in Christian institutions, of course, and many of these differences are often minor issues of personal opinion. In these matters of extrabiblical nature, VCCC believes it is vital to learn to agree to disagree and to demonstrate respect for another. As Paul said, we will endeavor, where possible, to live at peace with everyone. However, there are also specific doctrinal statements upon which the university is founded, and in these, VCCC students, staff, and faculty should find commonality in agreement:

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WE BELIEVE the Bible to be the divinely inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God and the supreme authority in all intellectual, theological, scientific, historical, and relational matters of belief and behavior.

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WE BELIEVE in one sovereign God, eternally existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

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WE BELIEVE in our Lord Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, his virgin birth, his sinless human life, his divine miracles, his vicarious and atoning death through his shed blood, his bodily resurrection, his ascension, his role as High Priest and Advocate, his ongoing intercession for his children, and his personal return in power and glory in the second coming. Those who confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in their hearts that God raised him from the dead will be saved.

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WE BELIEVE that God directly created Adam and Eve, the historical parents of the entire human race; and that they were created in His own image, distinct from all other living creatures, and in a state of original righteousness.

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WE BELIEVE that all things in the universe, visible and invisible, were created and made manifest by God ex nihilo in the six literal days of the creation week as described in Genesis and that the biblical creation record is factual, historical, and scientifically accurate. As Colossians 1: 15 says, all things were created by him, through him, and for him, and in him all things are held together. The created realm, as explained in Romans 1:20, gives clear evidence of God’s eternal power and divine nature so that all are without excuse in recognizing these “invisible attributes.” 


WE BELIEVE the Holy Spirit was sent by the Father as a counselor and helper to mankind, to empowering them with wisdom, strengths, and gifts. As evidenced on the Day of Pentecost, the presence of the Holy Spirit in a believers’ life is demonstrated by a spirit of power. Spirit-filled Christians are not of “those who shrink back and are destroyed,” but of those who stand firm. 

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WE BELIEVE that those who are born again into Christ are a new creation in him. Just as sin entered the world through the first Adam, so grace entered through the second Adam, Jesus. Through Adam, humans were given dominion over the created realm, to steward and subdue it. This mandate continues for Christians today, as we are called to redeem and steward earthly realms, including socio-political, industrial, artistic, governmental, and educational spheres, serving as active citizens who speak up for the oppressed and defend the rights of those who cannot speak up for themselves. 


WE BELIEVE in both local and global evangelism, accepting the Great Commission of Jesus Christ to make disciples of all nations, to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and to teach them to observe his commandments. These mandates extend not only to our own “Jerusalem,” our families and our cities, but to every tribe and tongue across the earth. Though we are saved by grace, the outworking of our faith is expressed in our actions and interactions with one another and the world to which we are called. 

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WE BELIEVE in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the just to eternal life with God and the unjust into eternal separation from God. God is a covenant-making and covenant-keeping God who keeps his promises to those who respond to His love by committing their lives to Him. 


WE BELIEVE that Jesus will soon return to this earth, personally, visibly, and unexpectedly, in power and glory, to gather his bride, to raise the dead, to judge the nations, to bring His Kingdom to fulfillment and to (oversee) the bodily resurrection of the just and unjust. Because none know the day or the hour of his return, we are to be “busy about the Father’s business,” making disciples, stewarding the earth, and furthering his kingdom until he returns.


WE BELIEVE in the spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ and that as Christians we are to meet together regularly for worship, prayer, exhortation, and the building up of one another in the faith. Active membership in a local Christian church is a vital component of family spiritual health, providing opportunity for personal growth, discipleship, outreach, and personal accountability. As members of a church-partnering, family-centric institution, VCCC students, staff, and faculty are expected to attend, serve, and tithe in the local church. 

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WE BELIEVE that children are a heritage from the Lord, a reward from him (Psalm 127:5), and that parents have been given the mantle of authority in the child’s life, including the primary role of teaching and training their children as described in Deuteronomy 6, Malachi 4, Luke 1, and Titus 1 and 2. While VCCC shares a season of delegated authority in a student’s life, VCCC does not place itself over and above parental authority in dealing with the heart, mind, soul, or habits of VCCC students. Instead, VCCC partners with parents, recognizing that children belong to families; they do not belong to the state, the church, or the school.  

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WE BELIEVE in the sanctity of life and the intrinsic value of all humans as children created in the image of God. All humans have purpose and destiny ordained for them and written in God’s book from the time of conception to the time of death, and as image-bearers of the living God, human life is to be protected, defended, and valued. 

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WE BELIEVE that sexual intimacy was created as an expression of love within a marriage between a man and woman. We believe singles are called to maintain sexual purity until marriage, and married individuals are called to remain faithful to their marriage, avoiding promiscuous behavior or the appearance thereof. Marriage was created by God to serve as an earthly shadow of Jesus’ relationship to his bride, the church; and as such, the institution of marriage is to be held in high honor by all VCCC members, whether single or married. 

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WE BELIEVE the classroom community should be one of charity and compassion, wonder and enthusiasm, that is demonstrated and nurtured through dynamic conversations and godly relationships amongst students, faculty, and parents. Though dialogue-based learning rightly discourages “group think” and strengthens debate skills, we will nonetheless dwell together in unity (Psalm 133:1) despite differences in opinion. We expect VCCC faculty, staff, and students to refrain from unkind remarks, profanity, coarse jesting, or other language that demonstrates disrespect, disunity, or a lack of charity. Ultimately, we expect the classroom environment to play a significant role in whole-student development by sharpening the mind, challenging erroneous beliefs, honing critical-thinking skills, fostering innovation, and inspiring the soul. ​​